Journey to the Cross

Pause

As Christ breaks bread, and bids us share,

each proud division ends.

The love that made us, makes us one,

and strangers now are friends.

 

“I Come with Joy” (Episcopal Hymnal 1982)

Listen

After eight days his disciples were again in a house and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus entered and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. No more disbelief. Believe!”

John 20:26-28

Think

It is Easter season, but I am reminded of a Christmas story. Have you read or watched a version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas? The Grinch is mean and nasty, proving it by stealing Christmas presents and decorations from those in Whoville. In the end, the Grinch comes to understand what Christmas is about, and in the process, the Grinch’s small heart grows three sizes.

Have you ever met a grinch? Maybe not a grinch, but a grump? Someone who seems to be unhappy a lot of the time and they try to share that unhappiness with others. Grinches and grumps often lock up their hearts so others cannot get to them. But Jesus always has a way in. The Bible tells us that we are the body of Christ. We are the only Jesus that grinches and grumps may meet. By sharing ourselves with people, others can see and know the body of Christ is real. Jesus can get into anyone’s heart, and anyone’s heart can grow.

GCOYP Episcopal Youth

Question to Ponder:

Have you acted like a grinch or grump at some point this week, and is there a way you can open your heart to Jesus so that it may grow from those experiences?

Pray

Dear God, I know I can sometimes be a grinch or a grump. And I know there are so many people with hearts that are locked away. Please let me continually open my heart so that through knowing me, others may know Jesus and our hearts may grow together.

Amen.

Go

Together met, together bound

by all that God has done,

we’ll go with joy, to give the world

the love that makes us one.

 

 “I Come with Joy” (Episcopal Hymnal 1982)